Method and apparatus for loading cartridge clips



13, l940 AAF. HARRIS 2,210,931

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CLIPS Filed Sept. 25, 1939 Patented ug. 1.3, 194i() UNITED STATES PATENT oFFice METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE CLIPS '7 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for loading cartridge clips.

In the type of clip shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,121,792 of June 28, 1938, a pair of converging spring-pressed side walls are adapted to embrace a double row stack of cartridges in staggered relation.

'Ihe purpose of this invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for quickly and conveniently loading such al clip with cartridges. The apparatus comprises a member which is movable into the mouth of the clip to expand it sulficiently to receive the cartridges with their base ends iirst and which also serves as a guide to properly position the cartridges.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification.

A practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation showing the improved clip loading apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a plan view with the upper bar broken away.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are views of the clip expander respectively in plan, side and end elevation.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the base.

Fig. 7 is an end View of the clip.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, there is shown a clip A having converging spring-pressed side walls adapted to embrace a double row stack of cartridges B in staggered relation.

The apparatus for loading the clip comprises three separate members, namely, a base C, a clip expander D and an alignment bar E. The base consists of a rectangular block 5 which is attached to a support such as a table by means of screws 6. The block is formed with a shallow longitudinally extending channel or groove 'I for receiving the lowermost portion of the clip A. A pair of guide rails 8-8 secured in spaced relation to opposite sides of the block by means of screws 9 have their opposed inner sides each provided with an undercut groove I for receiving a guide rib I I on the clip.

The clip expander consists of a bar I2 having an opening I3 through which cartridges may be inserted base end rst. The opposite side walls defining the opening are formed with a series of arcuate grooves I4, the grooves on one side wall being staggered with relation to the grooves on the opposite Wall.

'I'he grooves of each series provide sharply pointed serrations I5 which iit between adjoining cartridges.

'I'he under side of the expander bar I2 is provided with a pair of opposed fixed jaws lli- I6 whose lowermost edge is formed into teeth or prongs Il having their outer sides4 tapered as at I8. The jaws and the prongs are formed on their inner sides with arcuate grooves I9 and serrations 20 which are in prolongation of the grooves I4 and serrations I5. The jaws I6 with their prongs Il have a length which corresponds to the length of the clip and the ends 2l are shaped to conform to the curvature of the clip.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 an empty clip A is slidably inserted in the base C and the expander D is then positioned over the clip with the tapered prongs inserted in the mouth thereof. The expander is then forced downwardly until the bar I2engages the upper edges of the clip. During this movement the tapered prongs separate the side walls of the clip and hold them in separated position. Cartridges are then inserted, base first, through the opening I3, each cartridge being positioned in one of the arcuate grooves Ill and I9.

The alignment bar E is then placed on the ends of the bullets of the cartridges and a slight pressure is exerted downwardly, seating the cartridges to a uniform depth and in the proper position in the clip. The ends of the alignment bar E and the expander D are then grasped'between the thumb and iingers of each hand and a slight pressure exerted to remove the expander from the mouth of the clip Without disturbing the uniform seating of the cartridges in the clip. As. the tapered prongs are withdrawn the spring-pressed side walls of the clip converge and move the opposite rows of cartridges into contact. ,The cartrldges are now yieldingly held against axial displacement by means of the spring-pressed sides of the-clip and also in the case of rim cartridges by the engagement of the rims 22 in the groove provided by the guide rib II of the clip. 'I'he cartridges are held against endwise displacement by means of the curved ends of the clip as is well understood in the art.

I claim:

l. An implement for loading cartridges into a clip having resilient side walls` comprising a bar having an opening, the opposite side walls of the opening having staggered arcuate grooves and on one side of the member and terminating in prongs having tapered outer sides, the jaws and prongs formed on their inner sides With grooves and serratio-ns in prolongation of the grooves and serrations defining the opening in the member.

2. An implement for loading cartridges into a clip having resilient side walls comprising a member having an opening, the opposite side Walls of the opening having staggered arcuate grooves and serrations, a pair of opposed elements on one side of the member having tapered outer sides and having arcuate grooves and serrations in prolongation of the grooves and serrations defining the opening in the member.

3. An implement for loading cartridges into a clip having resilient side walls comprising a member having an opening, the opposite side Walls of the opening having staggered arcuate grooves and serrations, an opposed series of prongs on one side of the member having tapered outer sides and having arcuate grooves and serrations in prolongation of the grooves and serration-s defining the opening in the member.

pointed serrations, a pair of opposed iiXed jaws 4. An implement for loading cartridges into a clip having resilient side Walls comprising a member having an opening, the opposite side Walls of the opening having staggered cartridge guiding recesses, and clip-expanding means on one side of the member having tapered outer sides.

5. An implement for loading cartridges into a clip having resilient side Walls comprising a member having an opening, opposed clip-expanding means on one side of the member and on opposite sides of the opening therein, said means having staggered cartridge guiding recesses on their opposed inner sides.

6. In an implement for loading cartridges into a clip having resilient side Walls, a pair of opposed clipexpanding jaws having staggered cartridge guiding recesses on their opposed inner sides.

'7. A method of loading a clip having resilient sidewalls comprising inserting a cartridge guiding implement into the clip to expand the side Walls, inserting cartridges, and then withdrawing the implement While exerting'` pressure on the upper ends of the cartridges.

ALFRED F. HARRIS. 

